For many families seeking autism diagnostic testing in Chicago, the hardest part isn’t the actual assessment. It’s the conversation that follows. Many parents ask:

How do I explain this to my child?

What words will help them feel unique rather than labeled?

How do I provide steady support?

These are legitimate concerns and the truth is that there’s no exact script to use. But talking with your child about their diagnosis is extremely important. It builds understanding and acceptance. It becomes a turning point in their lives.

At Blue Bird Day, we have nearly two decades of experience helping Chicago families with these honest and supportive conversations. Providing them with a framework that replaces confusion with understanding.

We’ve found that using simple, positive language can make all the difference when talking to your child about their neurodiversity.

Instead of focusing on limitations or deficits, focus on strengths and potential. Use action words like “learning,” “growing,” and “discovering” rather than negative descriptors

A diagnosis is not a verdict. It’s the starting point to understanding.

Here’s the important part: the information helps you to explain to your child the way their brain works and their patterns in learning, communication, sensory processing, behavior, and social connections.

This guide provides practical advice to help you talk to your child about their diagnosis.

Our team is here to help you to understand your child more fully and coach you on how to help your child begin to understand themselves.

If you’re ready to take the next step, or if you simply have questions, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today!

What a Diagnosis Means

A diagnosis is a way to describe how your child’s brain works. It’s not a statement about worth, future potential, or personality. That distinction matters.

When you begin the conversation, use simple words that feel calm and direct. You might say that the diagnosis helps explain how your child thinks, learns, feels, and responds to the world. This gives the conversation a steady foundation.

Children often notice their differences long before adults name them. They may know that loud sounds feel bigger to them, that transitions feel harder, or that reading social cues takes more effort. If no one explains why, children may come to painful conclusions on their own. Honest language can prevent that.

Match Your Words To Your Child’s Age

A younger child does not need the same explanation as a preteen or teenager. Keep the language close to what your child already notices in daily life.

For a younger child, you might say:

“Your brain works in its own way. Some things feel easy for you. Some things feel harder. This helps us know how to help.”

For an older child, you can be more specific:

“You’re autistic. Autism means your brain takes in the world differently. That can affect communication, routines, sounds, or social situations. It can also help explain some of your strengths.”

Children tend to take emotional cues from the adults around them. If you sound uneasy, they may hear the diagnosis as bad news. If you sound calm and respectful, they’re more likely to hear it as helpful information.

Talk About Strengths And Support Needs Together

Your child is more than a diagnosis. A thoughtful conversation should reflect the full picture.

You can talk about strengths such as memory, creativity, attention to detail, honesty, deep interests, or persistence. You can also name the areas that feel hard right now, such as handling change, managing emotions, making friends, or coping with sensory overload.

This balance is important for families seeking autism support services in Chicago. Children need truthful language. They also need dignity. When you speak about both strengths and support needs, you help your child build a more accurate and kinder view of themselves.

One simple way to do this is to make two lists together:

• Things that feel good or come naturally
• Things that feel hard or tiring

This can open the door to a more useful conversation about what support may help at home, in school, and in the community.

Explain How Support Can Help

Many children already know when something is difficult. The value of the diagnosis is that it points toward support that makes life easier and more manageable.

You can say, “Now we know more about what can help.”

That support may include:

• Autism diagnostic assessments
• Speech therapy for communication
• Occupational therapy for sensory needs and daily skills
• Counseling for anxiety, coping, or emotional regulation
• Physical therapy for motor skills
• Feeding therapy for healthy mealtime routines
• School support such as accommodations or an IEP
• Family guidance and coordinated care

For Chicago families looking for autism therapy and assessments, this part of the conversation often brings relief. It shows your child that the goal is not to change who they are. The goal is to give them tools, strategies, and support that fit.

It can also help to explain the difference between school services and private therapy. School based support usually focuses on helping a child access learning. Private therapy may work on broader goals, such as communication, regulation, motor skills, or daily routines. In many cases, both can work together.

Make Room For Questions

Some children ask questions right away. Others need time. Some may look relieved. Others may seem upset, quiet, or uninterested. All of these reactions can be normal.

Try to stay open rather than rushing to fix the moment. If your child asks, “What’s wrong with me?” answer clearly and gently. You can say that nothing is wrong with them, and that the diagnosis helps explain why some things feel different or harder.

If your child asks, “Will I always have autism?” a clear answer helps. You can explain that autism is part of how their brain works, and that over time they’ll learn more about themselves and what helps them.

Children do not need a perfect answer to every question. They do need to know the topic is safe to return to.

Reassure Your Child Often

Some messages are worth repeating.

Your child needs to hear:

• “You are loved exactly as you are.”
• “This diagnosis does not change who you are.”
• “We’re here to help.”
• “You’re not alone.”
• “Support is part of growth.”

These words matter. Children may not respond much in the moment, however they often hold onto these messages over time. On hard school days, during social struggles, or in moments of frustration, this reassurance becomes a steady point they can return to.

Parents seeking autism services for children in Chicago often ask what matters most after an evaluation. Usually, it’s not one perfect conversation. It’s the pattern of calm, clear, supportive language your child hears again and again.

Keep The Conversation Going

This is not one talk. It’s an ongoing conversation that changes as your child grows.

A young child may only want to know why they go to therapy. An older child may ask why friendships feel harder. A teenager may start thinking about identity, independence, relationships, or whether to share their diagnosis with others.

Your child’s feelings may shift over time too. Some days they may feel proud. Some days they may feel frustrated. Both are real.

Helpful check in questions include:

• “How have you been feeling about this lately?”
• “Is there anything you wish people knew about you?”
• “What feels easier now?”
• “What still feels hard?”

These questions keep the door open without putting pressure on your child.

Choose Natural Moments

The best conversations don’t always happen during a formal sit down talk. Many children open up more during a walk, in the car, while drawing, or at bedtime.

These quieter moments can feel safer. They also help the topic feel normal rather than heavy.

You may find a good opening after a school struggle, a therapy session, or a moment when your child brings up feeling different. Use those everyday moments to connect the diagnosis to real life in a way that feels supportive and grounded.

Avoid Shame Based Language

Children remember tone as much as words. Try to avoid language that suggests the diagnosis is a burden, a flaw, or something to hide.

It also helps to avoid comparisons that increase embarrassment. Instead of focusing on what other children do easily, focus on the idea that different people need different kinds of support.

That shift protects your child’s sense of self while still being honest about the need for help.

Ask For Support When You Need It

Parents don’t have to carry this alone. If your family is working with a psychologist, therapist, developmental specialist, or autism support team, ask how they talk with children about diagnosis. A coordinated message can help your child hear the same steady theme across settings.

For families seeking autism assessments, therapy, and family support in Chicago, the most helpful care often includes more than test results. It includes guidance on what to say next, what supports fit your child, and how to move forward with more confidence.

Your child is still the same child they were before the evaluation. What changes now is that you have language, direction, and a clearer path toward support.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I tell my child about their autism diagnosis?

Sooner is often better, as long as the conversation matches your child’s age and readiness. Many children already sense that some things feel harder for them than for others. Giving them calm, clear words can prevent confusion and shame from filling in the gaps. For families starting autism assessments or therapy in Chicago, early conversations often help children connect services with their own daily experiences.

What if my child is too young to understand the word autism?

Young children don’t need a long explanation. Start with what they already notice. You can explain that their brain works in its own way, which helps explain why some things feel easy and some feel hard. As your child grows, you can introduce the word autism more directly. Many Chicago autism therapy providers encourage this gradual approach because it keeps the conversation honest without overwhelming a young child.

Should I use the word autism, or avoid it?

Use the word autism. When adults avoid it, children may start to think it’s something shameful or secret. Clear language builds trust. It also gives your child words they can use later at home, at school, or during therapy. For parents seeking autism support in Chicago, direct and respectful language often helps children feel more secure.

How do I explain autism in a positive and realistic way?

Keep it balanced. Autism is not something to fear, and it’s not the whole story of who your child is. You can explain that autism is a difference in how the brain works. It may affect communication, routines, sensory experiences, and social interaction. It can also come with strengths such as strong memory, attention to detail, honesty, creativity, or deep focus. This balanced message is often the most helpful for families looking for autism services in Chicago.

What if my child asks, “What is wrong with me?”

Answer gently and directly. Tell your child that nothing is wrong with them. Then explain that autism means their brain works differently, and that this difference can make some things harder while also shaping their strengths. Children often remember the emotional tone of your answer as much as the words, so a calm response matters.

What if my child reacts with anger, sadness, or no reaction at all?

All of those responses are common. Some children feel relieved. Some feel upset. Some do not say much at first and return with questions later. You don’t need to push your child toward a certain response. Let them know they can come back to the conversation anytime. Families in Chicago often find that children process autism diagnosis over time, especially as therapy, school support, and daily experiences continue.

How much information should I share at one time?

Share enough to answer the question in front of you, then pause. A short, clear conversation is usually more helpful than giving too much detail all at once. Children process in stages. One talk may focus on the diagnosis itself. Another may focus on school, friendships, or therapy. This step by step approach often works well for parents beginning autism services in Chicago.

How do I talk about diagnosis without making my child feel labeled?

Focus on support rather than limits. A diagnosis describes a pattern. It doesn’t define your child’s personality, value, or future. You can explain that the diagnosis helps everyone know how to support them better. That keeps the conversation practical, respectful, and less likely to feel reducing.

What if my child already feels different from other kids?

That’s often why this conversation matters so much. Many autistic children notice differences before anyone names them. Without an explanation, they may assume they’re failing. A clear conversation can replace self blame with self awareness. You can explain that different does not mean less, and that support exists to help them feel more comfortable and successful.

Should I talk about strengths too, or will that sound dismissive?

Yes, talk about strengths. Just make sure they’re real and specific. Children can tell when praise feels forced. Name genuine strengths, then also speak honestly about what feels hard. That balance helps your child feel seen more fully. Many autism therapists in Chicago use this same approach because it supports both confidence and realism.

How do I explain why my child is going to therapy or getting help at school?

Connect support to everyday life. You can explain that therapy and school services are there to help make hard things easier. Speech therapy may help with communication. Occupational therapy may help with sensory needs, handwriting, or daily routines. Counseling may help with emotions or worries. School support can help your child learn in ways that fit them better. For families using autism therapy in Chicago, this explanation often helps children feel less singled out and more supported.

What if my child says they don’t want anyone to know?

Respect that concern and talk it through. Ask what feels uncomfortable about other people knowing. Some children worry about being treated differently. Others simply want privacy. You can explain that some information is shared only with trusted adults who help support them, such as parents, teachers, or therapists. As your child gets older, these conversations can help them make informed choices about privacy and self advocacy.

How can I help siblings understand the diagnosis too?

Use the same calm and respectful tone. Explain that brains work in different ways and that autism can affect communication, routines, sensory experiences, or emotions. Siblings don’t need every detail. They need enough information to understand what they see and how to respond with kindness.

What if I am still processing the diagnosis myself?

That’s common. It helps to process your own feelings with another adult, a trusted friend, or a professional, so your child doesn’t have to carry your uncertainty. You don’t have to have every emotion sorted out before talking with your child. You do need to aim for honesty, calm, and clarity. If it helps, write down a few points before the conversation.

Is there a best age to have this conversation?

There is no single best age. A better question is whether your child is noticing differences, asking questions, or receiving support that would make more sense with an explanation. For many families, beginning early with age appropriate language works better than waiting for one perfect moment.

How do I keep the conversation going as my child gets older?

Check in during ordinary moments. A hard day at school, a successful therapy session, a friendship issue, or a bedtime question can all open the door. Ask simple questions and listen closely. Ongoing conversations help your child see that diagnosis is not a forbidden topic. It’s part of their story, and they don’t have to carry it alone.

What is the most important message my child needs to hear?

Your child needs to hear that they’re loved, respected, and supported exactly as they are. They also need to know that autism is one part of who they are, not the whole story. When that message is repeated through words, actions, school advocacy, and therapy support, children are more likely to build confidence and self-esteem.

This post was originally published in July 2024 and was rewritten in June 2026 to include updated strategies.

In the constant commotion of Chicago you reach a moment when you no longer can ignore the feeling that things are not lining up for your child. You see him working harder then other children at communication, learning, attention, behavior, and friendships, and you sense that something is off.

You ask yourself, “should I get him tested? “I want to know what’s happening and what can I do about it.”

Parents seeking diagnostic testing in Chicago for autism, ADHD, developmental delays, learning differences, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges want clear answers and a plan.

A comprehensive evaluation is the first step and gives you a clear picture of your child’s strengths, the areas that need support, and the reasons certain struggles keep showing up.

It provides a detailed look at how your child thinks, processes sensory information, interacts with others, and approaches learning. This level of insight guides decisions about therapy, school supports, and daily routines.

It also helps families understand why certain behaviors or challenges appear, especially when previous explanations have felt incomplete.

Chicago is a large, complex city with no shortage of providers. But not all evaluations are the same.

A rushed assessment, or one that is not tailored to your child’s specific profile, can leave families with more questions than answers. Even worse, conclusions that don’t quite fit.

The families who benefit the most work with a team that takes the time to truly know the child in front of them and their family.

That means listening to parents, not just testing children. It means looking at the whole child and delivering findings in a way that are honest, clear, and genuinely useful in real life.

At Blue Bird Day in Wheaton, diagnostic testing is designed around one belief: every child deserves to be understood, not just evaluated.

Our process is deliberate, not rushed. It’s built collaboratively, with families at the center. We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all battery of tests and hand you a report. We work to understand your child’s full story — their history, their strengths, their environment, and the specific questions your family most needs answered.

The result is not just a diagnosis. It’s a roadmap. Families leave with detailed, practical information they can take to schools, therapists, pediatricians, and insurance providers. Information they can use tomorrow.

We created this guide to walk you through the process.

If you’re ready to take the next step, or if you simply have questions, we’re here. Contact Blue Bird Day today to learn how our autism and child diagnostic assessment services in Chicago can help your family find the clarity and support you deserve. You don’t have to keep wondering alone.

Why Testing Matters

A formal evaluation can help families move from uncertainty to a more complete clinical picture. That matters for several reasons.

First, testing can identify whether a child meets criteria for a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, or another developmental or behavioral condition. Second, it can highlight patterns that may not be obvious in one setting alone. A child may present differently at home, at school, in therapy, or in social situations. A strong evaluation looks at the whole child across those environments.

This kind of assessment also serves a practical purpose. A formal diagnosis can help families qualify for services, school supports, therapy, and accommodations. However, the value of testing goes beyond paperwork. It can also show:

• communication strengths
• areas of social growth
• sensory preferences
• behavior patterns
• emotional regulation needs
• support strategies that may be most effective

That level of detail can help parents make decisions with more confidence. It can also help teachers, therapists, and other providers work from the same information.

More Than A Diagnosis

Families often come in asking whether their child has autism or another diagnosis. That question is important, and the answer can be deeply helpful. However, a strong evaluation should do more than confirm or rule out a condition.

A good assessment describes who your child is as a whole person. It should identify strengths as clearly as areas of need. It should explain how your child processes experiences, connects with others, and responds to demands. That information can help shape a support plan that feels realistic and personal.

At Blue Bird Day, testing is not treated as a cookie cutter process. The team works to gather a well rounded picture of the child, which may include input from parents, teachers, coaches, and therapists when available. If a child is already enrolled in Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, or Merlin Day Academy, the assessment process can also include collaboration across those teams. This broad view helps create more accurate and useful results.

What Families Can Expect From Diagnostic Testing At Blue Bird Day

The testing process at Blue Bird Day is structured, clear, and designed to reduce confusion. Families move through three main stages: intake, in person evaluation, and feedback.

First Appointment: Intake

The first visit is an intake session with a clinical psychologist. This meeting will take place virtually.

During intake, the psychologist gathers background information and listens closely to the concerns that brought the family in. This part of the process often includes discussion of:

• medical history
• developmental history
• school experience
• social development
• previous therapy services
• current concerns or questions from parents

This appointment helps shape the rest of the assessment. It gives the clinician context and helps identify the testing goals that fit the child’s age, profile, and current needs.

For families seeking child assessment services in Chicago, this first meeting is often a relief. It creates space to share concerns in a focused setting and helps parents feel more prepared for what comes next.

Second Appointment: In Person Evaluation Sessions

After intake, the child completes at least one and up to three in person evaluation sessions with the diagnostic testing team. These sessions are individualized based on the child’s age and the questions being examined.

Younger children often need fewer sessions. Older children may need more time so the team can gather enough information through standardized assessments and observation. These sessions take place in a private room and are designed to support accurate testing while helping the child feel as comfortable as possible.

At Blue Bird Day, the team may also ask about sensory preferences or special interests before testing begins. That step matters. A child who feels safer and more regulated is more likely to show a true picture of their abilities and behaviors during the assessment.

All assessments are psychological in nature. We do not perform medical tests or prescribe medication.

These evaluation sessions may look at several areas, including:

• communication
• social interaction
• attention
• play
• behavior
• emotional regulation
• sensory processing patterns
• cognitive or learning skills

This is one reason diagnostic testing in Chicagoland can be so valuable when done well. It’s not based on a quick impression. It’s based on direct observation, standardized tools, developmental history, and multi source input.

Third Appointment: Feedback Session

The feedback session usually takes within weeks after the initial intake. During this meeting, the clinical psychologist reviews the findings with the family in detail.

Parents receive information about:

• overall impressions from the evaluation
• key patterns seen during testing
• any diagnoses made
• strengths identified
• areas where support may be helpful
• recommendations for next steps

Families also receive a written testing report for future use. This report can be shared with schools, therapy providers, and medical professionals when needed.

A feedback meeting often includes a lot of information. Blue Bird Day makes room for questions and follow up support so families don’t leave with a report and no guidance. If more discussion is needed, follow up appointments are available.

What Makes A Collaborative Approach So Important

Children rarely fit neatly into a single category. A child may have speech delays, sensory sensitivities, social differences, attention challenges, or anxiety at the same time. That’s why collaboration matters so much in the diagnostic process.

When a psychologist gathers information from the adults who know the child best, the final picture is often more accurate and more useful. Parents bring insight from daily life. Teachers may notice learning or peer patterns. Therapists may identify communication, motor, or sensory features that affect performance. Each person sees part of the picture.

At Blue Bird Day, this multi disciplinary mindset is part of the care model. The goal is not simply to complete testing. The goal is to help families move forward with practical, individualized recommendations.

How Diagnostic Testing Supports Autism Care

For many families, the main concern is whether their child may be autistic. Others may already have questions about social communication, repetitive behaviors, sensory needs, or emotional regulation. In these cases, a well planned assessment can be an important step toward appropriate care.

Accurate testing can help you access autism support for families through therapy services, school accommodations, and community resources. It can also help explain behaviors that may have felt confusing or hard to interpret before.

A diagnosis does not define a child. However, it can give families language, direction, and access to support. That can be especially important in school planning, insurance coverage, and treatment coordination. It can also help parents explain their child’s needs to relatives, teachers, and other caregivers in a clearer way.

Most importantly, a good evaluation should recognize the child’s abilities as well as support needs. Children are not a list of symptoms. They are individuals with interests, talents, preferences, and relationships that matter.

Support Does Not Have To Stop After The Evaluation

One of the most valuable parts of the Blue Bird Day model is that services do not end with the testing report. Families may continue to receive consultation support to help put the recommendations into practice.

This ongoing support can include collaboration with therapeutic teams at Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, and Merlin Day Academy. The goal is to develop interventions that fit the child’s unique brain and relational style. That means support isn’t generic. It’s shaped around the individual child.

This kind of follow through can make a major difference. A report is helpful. However, real progress often depends on how well the findings are applied across daily settings.

Families often need support translating test results into school plans, therapy goals, and home strategies. That’s where ongoing consultation becomes especially useful. It helps bridge the gap between assessment and action.

Choosing With Confidence

Families looking for diagnostic testing in Chicago want more than a checklist. They want professionals who will take time, ask thoughtful questions, and treat their child with care. They also want results they can use in real life.

Blue Bird Day offers a process that is personal, structured, and grounded in collaboration. From the first intake to the final feedback session, the focus stays on helping families gain a clearer picture of their child and a stronger plan for support.

A formal diagnosis can be an important tool. However, your child is more than any diagnosis. A meaningful assessment should reflect that truth at every step. It should identify needs clearly while also recognizing personality, strengths, interests, and potential.

Blue Bird Day is here to help families through that process with care, clarity, and a commitment to well rounded support. Contact us today as we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diagnostic Testing At Blue Bird Day

Can I use my child’s diagnostic report for school or therapy services?
Yes. The report gives a clear summary of strengths, needs, and recommendations you can share with schools, therapy teams, or healthcare providers.

What if my child feels nervous or does not want to participate?
We adjust sessions to each child’s comfort level. Breaks, sensory tools, and encouragement help children feel safe and supported.

Which areas can Blue Bird Day focus on during assessment?

ADHD, impulse control, executive functioning, working memory, processing speed, down syndrome or other genetic disorders, tic disorders, adaptive functioning, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, sensory needs, anxiety disorders and OCD, adjustment to stress or change, language based disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, behavior (aggression, opposition, defiance, etc.), social perception, social skills, communication disorders, intellectual disabilities, oppositional defiant disorder, etc.

How long does the Blue Bird Day diagnostic process take?
Most families complete the process in four to five weeks, from first intake to feedback and report.

This post was originally published in July 2024 and was rewritten in June 2026 to include updated strategies. 

We aim for the diagnostic process at Blue Bird Day to be different from traditional diagnostic assessments. Utilizing Therapeutic and Collaborative Assessment techniques, we invite clients and parents to be involved in the assessment process, beyond just filling out forms. Beginning at the intake process, we invite clients and their families to help create goals for testing, creating questions that help us make sure the evaluation is useful for you and your team. We know that many individuals and families are referred for assessments, not knowing quite what to expect or how it can help. While diagnosis is one goal for testing, some other questions that can help guide assessment might include:

• How is their attention impacting their school performance?
• What can I do to help reduce my anxiety and sensory sensitivity?
• How can I best communicate with my child who is struggling with language development?
• How is past stress and trauma impacting the ability to focus and work now?
• How can I discuss my child’s needs and advocate for more supports? Where do I start?
• What can I do to feel more authentic and confident in my diagnosis?
• I feel like we’re not making progress in therapy; is there anything else we can do? Are we missing something?
• Is my child showing signs of an overall cognitive or learning struggle, or should we just focus on communication?

The testing team will work during the assessment and when forming recommendations to answer these questions to the best of our ability. Providing resources, interventions, and education so you feel confident in taking on these challenges.

In addition to working with your family, we want to reach out to any other supports working with your child. This can include other therapists, teachers, medical providers, and other staff that are involved in your child’s life and development. These folks can be a great resource for gathering information, formulating more questions, and knowing what has worked and what hasn’t in terms of supporting growth. Their knowledge and expertise in their field can only help support us in getting an accurate understanding of each person.

Because we use your questions to guide the assessment, the test battery is flexible. While we may have a core set of assessments, we may add or adjust them to best fit the needs and address the concerns of each person. We may adjust what measures we use, break them up into smaller pieces with breaks, and integrate play and games into our sessions in order to help our clients and kids show their best self.

We may have some follow up questions between sessions. Whether it’s getting kiddos that are nervous in new situations, being shy or slow-to-warm-up, not sleeping well the night before, or any of the many factors that can impact behavior, we want to make sure that we take that into account in our assessments. So, we may adjust a testing schedule, have parents or trusted others help with transitions, or shift to a classroom observation (where available) to get the best understanding of your child. Our goal is to build trust and comfort so a child can show their true skills, not their worries, their tiredness, or their frustration.

When testing is complete and we review and discuss the report, our goal is for you to walk away with a better understanding, not only of diagnosis, but confidence in how to address the concerns. We hope to provide information, resources, and confidence in taking on the struggles talked about in the first session. The goal is to answer your questions and provide clarity through data-driven diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We want you and your child to feel “seen” and understood. We hope to provide feedback that is useful and actionable. We may spend some time, with your consent, talking with their team about the results and how we can make sure that they are useful to the treatment team. We don’t want testing to feel like just a formality, but something that adds to your understanding of the progress.

Many parents grapple with whether or not to go through formal testing and diagnosis for their child when it comes to emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties.  While they may see struggles with anxiety, communication, attention, or simply frustration with school, they question what a diagnosis means, fear the stigma, or worry about what impact it might have on their child’s future.  They want to help their child and find resources but they’re not sure where to go for answers.  Neuropsychological Testing (also known as Medical Diagnostic Testing) seems complicated, and diagnosis can be scary for many parents.

Diagnoses like ADHD, Autism, or Learning Disorders used to be associated with some stigma.  But we’ve come a long way in how we understand, teach, and support these kids.  According to the CDC, nearly 10% of children will be diagnosed with ADHD and almost 2% will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in their lifetime.  And the needs and personalities of these kids are as diverse as they come!  Through neuropsychological testing, parents get to learn about their child’s strengths and weaknesses and use that information to advocate for resources at school or in the community, as well as different types of therapies.  A diagnosis is an official, cohesive way of describing those needs and communicating them to doctors, teachers, and other important people in your child’s life.

A formal diagnosis is one tool that can help children qualify for services such as an IEP, 504 plan, or ABA therapy.  It can also provide documentation to jobs, clubs, and other organizations about what types of teaching and supports can help a child feel confident, participate, make friends, and learn to the best of their ability.  While schools and insurance companies are the ones who ultimately make the decision about what services will be provided, a comprehensive neuropsychological report can provide the framework and the evidence that these services are beneficial to a child’s learning and development.  The team at Eyas Landing can provide more information  and guidance on what these processes look like.

While a diagnostic label can be scary for parents, for many children, teens, and even adults, it can be a doorway to self-understanding.  Being able to say “Oh, this is why I do that!” or “Wait, other people do this too? I’m not alone?” can be a powerful experience.  From finding supportive communities, to developing a positive identity, self-advocacy starts with understanding your needs and it’s the goal of the team at Eyas Landing to support this journey.

Not all children need testing.  Many will thrive without these formalized interventions.  They may benefit from things such as tutoring, talk therapy, or other interventions that don’t require extensive testing.  And if you’re on the fence, there’s lots of options to try!  You can start by talking to teachers about supports they can provide in the classroom, like fidgets or check-in sessions, enrolling your child in peer group activities, or meeting with a therapist or pediatrician to learn more about how to best support your child.

Contact us for additional details about Neuropsych/ Medical Diagnostic Testing: